1538 Cetacea. 



the superior one of which is curved downwards and the other upwards, 

 so as to form a nearly perfect ring, which is completed by a cartilage; 

 in this circle is placed anteriorly an oblique anterior head of the se- 

 cond rib. 



The remaining dorsal vertebrae have at the base of the spinal pro- 

 cesses an appendage on either side, which is directed towards the 

 head ; transverse processes wide and depressed. 



First rib very much widened towards its junction with the sternum, 

 which is sub-cartilaginous. The lengths of the ribs are as follows : — * 

 First, 1 foot; second, 17 in. ; third, 20 in. ; fourth, 20-§- in. ; fifth 20-*- 

 in.; sixth, 18-f-in. ; seventh, 18 in.; eighth, 17-f in.; ninth, 16^- in.; 

 tenth, 16 in. 2 lines ; eleventh, 14 in. ; measured in a straight line from 

 their point of insertion with the vertebra to their opposite extremity. 



Lumbar vertebra, shaped the same as the last dorsal, and present- 

 ing nothing worthy of notice ; the twelfth has a slight rudiment of an 

 inferior process. 



Sacral vertebra, resembling the first caudal, but having a remark- 

 able inferior process, which is bent and directed backwards. 



Caudal vertebrae ; these go on decreasing in size insensibly from 

 the first to the last, their spinal and transverse processes go on dimi- 

 nishing in length proportionally, so that they become obliterated on 

 the last vertebra. The lateral appendages of the base of the spinal 

 processes (where these exist) are placed anteriorly and are perpen- 

 dicular to the vertebrae, instead of being directed forwards, as in the 

 dorsal vertebrae. Inferior processes shaped as rounded or obtuse Vs. 

 The ten last vertebrae are more or less cubical in shape, but rather 

 irregular, and are without processes or appendages of any kind. 



Limbs, fyc. The scapular measures 11 inches in greatest width, 

 and 17f inches in greatest height, its coracoid process is three times 

 as large as the acromion ; humerus short, longer than wide, it mea- 

 sures 44: inches in length ; radius and cubitus slightly curved, and 

 measuring 7 inches in length ; bones of the carpus placed in two 

 rows, the external ones the largest; metacarpal bones rather large, 

 especially those corresponding to the inferior finger. 



Fingers ; the first or upper formed of three phalanges, the second 

 of six, the third of seven, and the inferior one of four. 



All these bones are very much compressed ; the three last of the 

 second finger, and last four of the third are transverse. 



* The Belgian foot differs somewhat from the English, hut this is of very little 

 consequence, as all the dimensions are relative. 



